In the last few years, Sony has been steadily porting its hit AAA titles to PC. Though most ports, such as God of War (2018) and Horizon Forbidden West, have been successful, others, like The Last of Us Part 1, have been poorly received. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the next title up for? a PC port, and Insomniac has conf?irmed that it is Steam Deck Verified.

[caption id="attachment_393569" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart hits PCs

Rift Apart was initially released in 2021 as one of the PS5's flagship titles. It caught the attention of Pl?ayStation players worldwide thanks to its dimensional rifts th?at allow players to jump between environments instantly.

PC players will get to experience Ratchet and Rivet's adventure soon, as the game is set to launch on the platform on 26 July. Initially, many believed that the port would require a beefy PC with a zippy SSD. Though you will need a reasonably specced PC to play Rift Apart, it will run just fine o?n hard disc drives (HDDs) at minimum settings.

//twi?tter.com/insomniacgames/st??atus/1683953133825716224

Rift Apart is Steam Deck Verified, meaning the portable gaming device can handle it. Though some variations of the Steam D?eck have SSDs, players have to settle for lowered settings on the handheld, as has been the case with previous Sony ports. Those on high-spec PCs get to enjoy 4K 60?FPS ray-traced gameplay.

This isn't the first time Insomniac has ported its titles to PC, as Spider-Man Remastered was ported to ??PC in 2022 (with help from fellow first-party studio Nixxes So??ftware). The web-slinging game is also Steam Deck Verified.

Rift Apart is a visually stunning title that does a phenomenal job of presenting a tr?uly next-gen experience. Though some may feel that it is a little pricey for its short length, it is packed with non-stop excitement.

The post Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is Steam Deck Verified appeared first on Destructoid.

How HD will the Lombax be?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is finally coming to PC via Steam on July 26. In preparation for the launch, the team responsible for the port posted the adventure platformer's PC specs in a PlayStation Blog post. With the port, Nixxes ?Software is also adding some new features to enhance the game.

In an effort to enable quick loading and instant transition between areas, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will include DirectStorage. This technology allows NVMe Solid State Drives, SATA Solid State Drives, and? some traditional hard disk drives to quickly decompress and load textures.

Furthermore, the PC po?rt will also feature Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion with multiple quality? levels to choose from. Finally, Nixxes Software has implemented Intel's XeGTAO technology.

“XeGTAO generates a very high-resolution ambient occlusion that shows even the smallest details in geometry,�says Nixxes Software Graphics Programmer Menno Bil. “Overall, the output quality of XeGTAO is very high and results in a pleasant look.�/p>

[caption id="attachment_392284" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Nixxes Software[/caption]

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC System Requirements

These are the recommended system requirements for all th?e graphics settings from Very Low to High with Ray-tracing.

1. Very Low (Minimum)
   • Average Performance: 720p @ 30 FPS
   • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470
   • CPU: Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100
   • RAM: 8GB
   • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)
   • Storage: 75 GB HDD Space (SSD Recommended)
2. Medium (Recommended)
   • Average Performance: 1080p @ 60 FPS
   • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700
   • CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
   • RAM: 16GB
   • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)
   • Storage: 75 GB SSD space
3. High
   • Average Performance: 1440p @ 60 FPS (4K @ 30 FPS)
   • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800
   • CPU: Intel Core i5-11400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600
   • RAM: 16GB
   • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)
   • Storage: 75 GB SSD space
4. High (with Amazing Ray Tracing)
   • Average Performance: 1440p @ 60FPS (4K @ 30 FPS)
   • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
   • CPU: Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
   • RAM: 16GB
   • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)
   • Storage: 75 GB SSD space
5. High (with Ultimate Ray Tracing)
   • Average Performance: 4K @ 60 FPS
   • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
   • CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
   • RAM: 32GB
   • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)
   • Storage: 75 GB SSD space

The post also states that?? details regarding ray-tracing support for AMD GPUs will be com??ing soon.

The post Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC specs revealed appeared first on Destructoid.

Now with more fur

A Steam page has gone live for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and it contains ?a lot of information on the port. For one thing, it’s coming July 26, which (checks watch) is pretty soon.

Originally released in 2021, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the continued version of the eponymous Lombax and his robot companion. I didn’t play it, but Destructoid’s resident fancypants Chris Carter gave it a pretty glowing review. I didn’t own a PS5 at the time, but since getting one, it’s been on my list to circle back to it. I just haven’t yet. I really just?? want to play as that lady-Lombax. She seems really cool.

//youtu.be/i_jZ3BV6Adc

Maybe I will get around to it now that it’s coming to PC. The port boasts “ultra-wide support for 21:9, 32:9, and 48:9 (triple monitor support) resolutions!�for those of you with more desk space than I do. However, I have a pretty classy graphics card, so I’ll be able to benefit from unlocked frame rates, ray-traced reflections, and shadows in ex??teriors.

On top of that, there are some fancy image and performance options like “NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac Games�Temporal Injection. NVIDIA Reflex and image quality-enhancing NVIDIA DLAA are also supported.�??Plus, it supports the features of the DualSense controller.

That’s it, that’s what I’ve got for you. You can double-check the Steam page right here yourself. It's also headed to the Epic Games Store, and those who pre-purchases can get early access to the Pixelizer weapon and Carbon?ox armor (which are also achievable in-game).

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is currently available on PS5, but you can get it on PC starting July 26, 202?3.

The post Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart comes to PC on July 26 appeared first on Destructoid.

The best PS5 single-player stories and experiences

The best PS5 single-player games make the platform one of the greatest consoles to own today. With exclusives like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and God of War Ragnarok, there are many outstanding experiences on the beloved system. While it's sad that some double-A exclusives like Gravity Rush 2 and LittleBigPlanet 3 have fizzled from PlayStation's priority list, there are still grand sin??gle-player campaigns that will take y?our breath away. Here are 10 of the best PS5 single-player games you can check out.

Marvel’s Spider-Man series

[caption id="attachment_377150" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

If you're a big comic book fan or just like action games in general, you can't go wrong with Marvel's Spider-Man series from Insomniac Games. Web slinging feels the best it's ever been, evolving the system from the beloved Spider-Man 2 PS2 game and letting you do tricks in the air. Boss battles are immensely important and truly up the stakes of the storyline. Finally, this Marvel version of New York is so detailed as you're beating up foes across the stunning map with a glorious battle system. The follow-up based on Miles Morales is also stellar, perhaps outdoing the original game, with an elevated battle system and intense, drama-filled story. Now's a good time to get into the series as Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered is getting a standalone release on PS5.

God of War series

[caption id="attachment_377151" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

If you love single-player games on PS5, you owe it to yourself to play the Norse God of War series. I personally found the PS2 and PS3 entries hard to get into. The action gets repetitive, there are oddly placed puzzles, and the harsh o??vertones of Kratos' personality repelled me. However, this new reboot-quel with Kratos as a father is a game changer. The way Kratos evolves past his violent ?origins and grows as a person is refreshing. Both of these games act as a fantastic coming-of-age story for his son Atreus as well. The combat takes a slower, more methodical third-person approach. The axe feels satisfying to wield, and the powers Kratos attains over the course of the series make you feel strong. There are plenty of cinematic bosses that amaze you too.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

[caption id="attachment_377154" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart hosts some of the best PS5 graphics, bar none. Reviewers often say this series looks like a Pixar film for a good reaso?n, and I agree. But it's not just a tour-de-force of graphics, however. This sci-fi game features two engaging platforming heroes trying to save the multiverse from Dr. Nefarious and company. Most of the guns on offer pack a punch, like the Shatterbomb, while other weapons turn your enemies into cute objects like pixels with the Pixelizer. The storyline is also impactful and gets surprisingly emotional.

The Last of Us Part I

[caption id="attachment_377155" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

Talking about emotional stories, The Last of Us Part I will leave you weeping. This post-apocalyptic has you play as Joel, a father who lost their child, and connects with a girl named Ellie as they face the harsh zombie-filled environment. Yes, they're called the Infected (not zombies, per se), but what makes them unique is how they have to listen to the environment to know w??here you are. It gets creepy as you have to slowly work your way through dark hallways to succeed. Otherwise, they'll come rampaging toward you, and you need your wits to shoot them in the correct spots. What's even scarier, perhaps, are the people you meet along the way, and the storyline gets very heavy as Joel and Ellie try to keep themselves alive. It's one of the best PS5 single-player games because of how intense it gets. I haven't even gotten into the impressive graphics, either.

Elden Ring

[caption id="attachment_377156" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bandai Namco[/caption]

Elden Ring is a tough S.O.B., but the grind is well worth your time as you defeat tough bosses with a big smile on your face and scale across a dangerous fantasy landscape. I've personally never connected with a Souls game, but for some reason, Elden Ring grabbed me. The open world allows you to explore, challenge other bosses, and level up at your own speed. You can find mysterious areas naturally, get awesome loot, and then attempt to defeat a tough boss once more. That game loop is absolutely engrossing and far better than the linear Souls style as you finally have option??s. You're not stuck ??with one boss over and over and over again. The world-building is also a strength of the game, with gorgeous scenery and architecture to gaze at.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

[caption id="attachment_377157" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Eidos Interactive[/caption]

I'll say it. This game is better than the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies. The characters are written so well and are different enough from the Hollywood versions. There's a fantastic character arc for Eidos Montreal's interpretation of Starlord, and you truly feel the connection bet??ween all of the members of the group. The script is also quite funny. The third-person shooting gameplay is thrilling as you're?? zooming around foes with your jet boots and instructing the squad on what to do. Bosses also feel like a big deal in this game.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade

[caption id="attachment_377162" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Square Enix[/caption]

If you need an RPG to play on your PS5, Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade is ready for you. With spectacular visuals, fast-paced yet strategic combat, and an engrossing storyline, this game will grab you from beginning to end. The music is also phenomenal. The Intergrade edition comes with a chapter that introduces Yuffie into the ??mix that you can't play on the PS4.

Astro’s Playroom

[caption id="attachment_377165" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

Want a game that the kids (or your inner child) can play? Astro's Playroom is a wonderful pick. It fully uses the DualSense controller's functionality, such as the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, to make a memorable experience. The platforming is some of the best the PS5 has to offer, as well. Additionally, it references great moments in PlayStation's long history. The best part is that Astro's Playroom is free to download!

Resident Evil 4 Remake

[caption id="attachment_377167" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

This is an almost perfect horror game. Stunning graphics, a creepy environment, an epic story, tough bosses, and stellar third-person shooting gameplay. The puzzles are also a treat in Resident Evil 4 Remake. There'?s not much else to say other than pick this game up.

Horizon series

[caption id="attachment_377550" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

While the sequel, Forbidden West, covers familiar ground in terms of its gameplay, it's still a tour-de-force of graphics. The unique robot-filled post-apocalyptic setting is striking. You also have some stellar performances by Ashley Burch (Aloy) and the rest of the cast. The storyline is also intriguing as we learn bits and pieces about why our civilization failed many years ago. Horizon: Zero Dawn is an incredible open-world game as you upgrade your gear and defeat titanic robots along the way, strategically breaking their parts until they fall. Forbidden West is still impressive, bu??t to me, fails to capture my interest as much as the origina?l.

Honorable Mentions

There are some other stand-out titles that didn't quite make the Best PS5 single-player games list. One of them that is likely mentioned in the comments is Ghost of Tsushima. It presents a gorgeous open world inspired by the Mongolian invasion era of Japan. However, it strikes me more as a PS4 game rather than a PS5-specific entry for this list. It has received a remaster with additional content set on Iki Island. Additionally, there's Returnal. It's gained a large fanbase since its release, but can arguably be considered a co-op game, following one of its post-game updates.

The post 10 of the best single player games you can play on a ??PS5 right now appeared first on Destructoid.

Plus, more classic Ratchet heads to PS Plus Premium

Insomniac Games and Sony are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ratchet & Clank franchise. Some throwback armor is headed to Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and some classic Ratchet is going on PlayStation Plus Premium.

The Ratchet & Clank series kicked off i??n 2002, with the very first game for PlayStatio?n 2. Since then, there have been quite a few entries in the duo's adventures.

For the most recent, Rift Apart, Insomniac is releasing several se?ts of armor, free for all players. They arrive?? in a pack today. Here's the full list:

• Commando Armor (Inspired by Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando)
• Holoflux Armor (Inspired by Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time)
• Quest Armor (Inspired by Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty)
• Marauder Armor (Inspired by Ratchet: Deadlocked)
• Clank Armor

Ratcheting up the nostalgia

There are some classic Ratchet & Clank game??s arriving soon for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers, too.

Several games, like Into the Nexus and Quest for Booty, are already on Premium's game catalog. But on November 15, several more classic Ratchet & Clank titles will hit the service. These are s??ome classic titles, going back to the PS2 era of

• Ratchet & Clank (PS3)
• Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (PS3)
• Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (PS3)
• Ratchet & Clank: Deadlocked (PS3)
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3)

Today's PlayStation blog announcing the news also dug deep into the history vaults. There are a ton of quotes and tidbits from throughout the years, discussing the history of one of Sony's most prominent faces. It's a cool way to explore the history and legacy of Ratchet & Clank, two decades on.

The new armor is available now in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. The older Ratchet titles hit PlayStation Plus Premium, one of Sony's upper subscription tiers, on November 15.

The post Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart gets some new armor for series’ 20th anniversary appeared first on Destructoid.

It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank also at the winners' table

This weekend saw the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) host its annual awards ceremony, The IGDA Global Industry Game Awards. The event recognizes some of the best titles in recent memory, with a keen f?ocus on the mechanics, technical prowess, and use of new and upcoming technology to create titles ??that are as respected by developers as they are by button-mashing players.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBal-P2BT4Y

While many titles were featured in the 2022 edition of the IGDA Game Awards, several titles, in particular, walked away with armfuls of gongs. The biggest winner was Arkane's time-warping shooter Deathloop, which bagged itself a very impressive 13 awards across numerous categories. This was closely followed by Electronic Arts' co-op adventure and frequent GOTY winner It Takes Two, which would go home carrying 10 trophies.

Among the other big winners were Housemarque's excellent PS5 blaster Returnal, and Insomniac Games' cartoonish adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, both of which masterfully used the fledgling PS5 infrastructure to create ambitious titles with dazzling visuals, epic locations, and exciting, cinematic gameplay. On the indie front, newcomer Double Loop Games won the awards for Upcoming Indi??e Studio and Workplace Diversity and Inclusivity.

You can check out the full list of winners from the 2022 IGDA Global Industry Game Awards below.

Art

• 2D Animation â€?Unpacking by Witch Beam
• 2D Character Design â€?Boyfriend Dungeon by Kitfox
• 2D Environment Art â€?Unpacking by Witch Beam
• 3D Animation â€?em> It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• 3D Character Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• 3D Environment Art â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Cinematography â€?Life is Strange: True Colors by Deck Nine
• UI Art â€?em> Deathloop by Arkane
• VFX â€?Returnal by Housemarque

Audio

• Music Composition â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Sound Design â€?Returnal by Housemarque
• Voice Acting â€?Deathloop by Arkane

Design

• Accessibility Innovation â€?Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart by Insomniac Games
• Gameplay Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Level Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Systems Design â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• UI/UX â€?em> Deathloop by Arkane

Engineering/Technology

• Achievements in New Technology â€?Returnal by Housemarque
• AI â€?Returnal by Housemarque
• Audio Technology â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Engine Technology â€?Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart by Insomniac Games
• Gameplay Technology â€?Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart by Insomniac Games
• Graphics Technology â€?Forza Horizon 5 by Playground Games
• Networking Technology â€?Valheim by Iron Gate AB & It Takes Two by Hazelight
• Systems Technology â€?Deathloop by Arkane

Support

• Community Management â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Customer Support â€?em> It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Marketing â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Production/Management â€?em> Deathloop by Arkane
• Quality Assurance â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Research & Analytics â€?Deathloop by Arkane

Writing/Narrative

• Dialogue â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Narrative Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Story â€?em> It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• World Building â€?Returnal by Housemarque

Miscellaneous

• Representation â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Upcoming Indie â€?Double Loop Games
• Workplace Diversity and Inclusivity â€?Double Loop Games
• Trust/Safety â€?Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker by Square Enix

The post Deathloop, Re?turnal score big a?t the 2022 IGDA Game Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

Both indies and big productions took home trophies today

The winners for the 2022 BAFTA Games Awards have been announced, and Housemarque's Returnal took home the to?p prize. Alongside the PlayStation 5 exclusive, several other stars of 2021 added more trophies to their collection tonight.

Returnal leads the pack with wins in Best Game, Best Music, Audio Achievement, and Performer in a Leading Role for Jane Perry. It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart took home two BAFTAs apiece. Unpacking also took home ?two, thanks to the publicly voted EE Game of the Year award.

The indies made a strong showing tonight, though. Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Inscryption, Before Your Eyes, TOEM, Unpacking, and The Artful Escape all won awards. And No Man's Sky received recognition for its continuous growth, win?ning the Evolving Game category.

The 2022 BAFTA Games Awards were held in London and streamed out over Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. You can find a Twitch VOD of the awards show here.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOezF7i4mB0

BAFTA Games Awards 2022 Winners

Animation: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Insomniac Games / Sony Int??eractive Entertainment

Artistic Achievement: The Artful Escape - Beethoven & Dinosaur / Annapurna?? Interactive

Audio Achievement: Returnal - Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment

Best Game: Returnal - Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment

British Game: Forza Horizon 5 - Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios

Debut Game: TOEM - Something We Made

Evolving Game: No Man's Sky - Hello Games

Family: Chicory: A Colorful Tale - Greg Lobanov, A Shell in the Pi??t, Madeline Berger, Alexis Dean-Jones, Lena Raine / Finji

Game Beyond Entertainment: Before Your Eyes - GoodbyeWorld Games / Skybound Games

Game Design: Inscryption - Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital

Multiplayer: It Takes Two - Hazelight Studios / Electronic  Arts

Music: Returnal - Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment

Narrative: Unpacking - Wren Brier, Tim Daw??son, Annie VanderMeer - Witch Beam / Humble Games

Original Property: It Takes Two

Performer in a Leading Role: Jane Perry as Selene Vassos, Returnal

Performer in a Supporting Role: Kimberly Brock as Hollis Forsythe, Psychonauts 2

Technical Achievement: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Insomniac ?Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment

EE Game of the Year (Public Vote): Unpacking - Witch Beam / Humble Games

The post Returnal, It Takes Two, and Ratchet & Clank among winners at 2022 BAFTA Games Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

It's the first to win the big award at both ceremonies

The 22nd Game Developers Choice Awards and 24th annual Independent Games Festival Awards were held last night in San Francisco. Many different games were honored, but Inscryption made history by taking both big awards of th??e night.

Daniel Mullins Games' Inscryption won Game of the Year at the 2022 GDC Awards and the Grand Prize at the IGF Awards. It's the first game to ever do so. The narrative deckbuilding game also won for Excellence in Design, Audio, and Narrative ??at the?? IGF Awards.

Other big winners include Unpacking, Valheim, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, each of which took home two GDC Awards apiece. Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, an?d Steven Spohn was recognized with the Ambassador Award for his work in advocating for and improving ac?cessibility in games.

?//twitter.com/O??fficial_GDC/status/1506825929699430401

Here's the full list of winners, for both the GDC and IGF Awards.

2022 Game Developers Choice Award winners:

• Best Debut: Valheim (Iron Gate Studio)
• Best Visual Art: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Best Audio: Unpacking (Witch Beam / Humble Games)
• Best Narrative: Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine Productions / Xbox Game Studios)
• Social Impact Award: Boyfriend Dungeon (Kitfox Games)
• Innovation Award: Unpacking (Witch Beam / Humble Games)
• Best Technology: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Best Design: It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Audience Award: Valheim (Iron Gate Studio / Coffee Stain Publishing)
• Game of the Year: Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Ambassador Award: Steven Spohn
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Yuji Horii

2022 Independent Games Festival Award winners:

• Best Student Game: Live Adventure (Live Adventure Team)
• Excellence in Design: Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games)
• Excellence in Visual Art: Papetura (Petums)
• Excellence in Audio: Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games)
• Nuovo Award: Memory Card (Lily Zone)
• Excellence in Narrative: Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games)
• Audience Award: Mini Motorways (Dinosaur Polo Club)
• Seumas McNally Grand Prize: Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games)

The post Inscryption had a big night at this year’s GDC and IGF Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

It Takes Two (trophies)

This past weekend saw The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hold the 2022 iteration of its annual DICE Awards, which r?ecognizes technical, design, and narrative excellence in our w?onderful world of video gaming. This year's event saw awards handed out to some of 2021's biggest hitters, helping to bolster the trophy cases of several releases that have already bagged themselves multiple industry gongs.

Among the biggest winners of the night were EA's co-op adventure It Takes Two, which took home the coveted Game of the Year award �a trophy that will no doubt sit snugly next to its previous GOTY award, won during December's Game Awards 2021 ceremony. It Takes Two also picked up the Outstanding Achievement in Game Design award, beating out deserved nominees including Deathloop, Inscryption, and Loop Hero.

Insomniac Games' excellent adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was another of the night's big winners, taking home a hefty four trophies in the field of animation, art direction, technical achievement, and family gaming. On the audio front, Housemarque's sci-fi epic Returnal won awards for both its music and evocative and immersive sound design. Also around to make a scene, Resident Evil Village?'s undeniable Lady Dimitrescu won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Character.

You can check out the full list of Dice Awards 2022 nominees and winners ?below.

Game of the Year

• Deathloop
• Inscryption
• It Takes Two
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Deathloop
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Deathloop
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village

Outstanding Achievement in Character

• Deathloop â€?Colt Vahn
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits â€?Kena
• Life is Strange: True Colors â€?Alex Chen
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart â€?Rivet
• Resident Evil Village â€?Lady Dimitrescu

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Psychonauts 2
• Returnal

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

• Forza Horizon 5
• Halo Infinite
• It Takes Two
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal

Outstanding Achievement in Story

• Before Your Eyes
• Inscryption
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Psychonauts 2
• The Forgotten City

Outstanding Technical Achievement

• Battlefield 2042
• Forza Horizon 5
• Moncage
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal

Action Game of the Year

• Deathloop
• Halo Infinite
• Metroid Dread
• Returnal
• The Ascent

Adventure Game of the Year

• Death's Door
• It Takes Two
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Psychonauts 2
• Resident Evil Village

Family Game of the Year

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise
• Cozy Grove
• Mario Party Superstars
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Warioware: Get it Together

Fighting Game of the Year

• Guilty Gear Strive
• Melty Blood: Type Lumina
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl

Racing Game of the Year

• F1 2021
• Forza Horizon 5
• Hot Wheels Unleashed

Role-Playing Game of the Year

• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
• Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
• Shin Megami Tensei V
• Tales of Arise
• Wildermyth

Sports Game of the Year

• FIFA 22
• Mario Golf: Super Rush
• NBA 2k22
• Riders Republic
• The Climb 2

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

• Age of Empires IV
• Gloomhaven
• Griftlands
• Inscryption
• Loop Hero

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

• Lone Echo II
• Puzzling Places
• Resident Evil 4 VR
• Song in the Smoke
• Yuki

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

• Demeo
• I Expect You To Die 2
• Lone Echo II
• Resident Evil 4 VR
• Song in the Smoke

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

• Death's Door
• Inscryption
• Loop Hero
• Sable
• Unpacking

Mobile Game of the Year

• Behind the Frame
• Fantasian
• League of Legends: Wild Rift
• Moncage
• Pokémon Unite

Online Game of the Year

• Back 4 Blood
• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
• Halo Infinite
• Knockout City

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

• Deathloop
• Inscryption
• It Takes Two
• Loop Hero
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

• Deathloop
• Inscryption
• It Takes Two
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• The Artful Escape

The post It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank win big at DICE Awards 2022 appeared first on Destructoid.

Rollin' Sixes

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has released its list of nominees for the 2022 iteration of the annual DICE Awards. The event, scheduled to take place February 24 at the glamorous Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, will recognize some of the finest releases that rolled out of the gaming indus?try and into ou??r homes over the course of 2021.

Insomniac Games' stellar PS5 adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the most nominated game of the awards, with a mighty nine noms in total, including one for the coveted Game of the Year award. Also riding high is Arkane Studios' shooter Deathloop, which itself has racked up an impressive eight nominations including Game of the Year, Action Game of the Year, Outstanding Animation Achievement, and Outstanding Aud?io Achievement.

Elsewhere in the list, Housemarque's fab sci-fi shooter Returnal, Acid Nerve's delightfully grim Death's Door, Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Strive, and Playground Games' Forza Horizon 5 are all putting on their best tux and hoping to claim themselves a DICE award. The Game Awards' own GOTY, Hazelight Studios' It Takes Two, is also hoping to walk away with yet another best-of-year trophy. Also of note is Daniel Mullins Games' creepy Inscryption, w??hich is slowly winning over more and more players with each passing?? month.

"From all of us at the Academy, we want to thank our peer panelists who continue to dedicate their energy, expertise, and time in evaluating and selecting 2021's best games," writes Meggan Scavio, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. "To all our finalists, congratul??ations! You continue to amaze us with how you push the boundaries of creativity, technical innovation, and storytelling."

Here is the full list?? of nominees for The 25th Annual DICE Awards. Get ??settled, it's a doozy.

Game of the Year

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games/ Activision)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games/ Activision)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)

Outstanding Achievement in Character

• Deathloop - Colt Vahn (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Kena (Ember Lab)
• Life is Strange: True Colors - Alex Chen (Deck Nine / Square Enix)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Rivet (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Resident Evil Village - Lady Dimitrescu (Capcom)

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries / Xbox Game Studios)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Story

• Before Your Eyes (GoodbyeWorld Games / Skybound Games)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (Eidos-Montréal / Square Enix)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)
• The Forgotten City (Modern Storyteller / Dear Villagers)

Outstanding Technical Achievement

• Battlefield 2042 (EA DICE / Electronic Arts)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Moncage (Optillusion / XD)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Action Game of the Year

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries / Xbox Game Studios)
• Metroid Dread (Mercury Steam / Nintendo)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• The Ascent (Neon Giant / Curve Games)

Adventure Game of the Year

• Death's Door (Acid Nerve / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (Eidos-Montréal / Square Enix)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)

Family Game of the Year

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise (Nintendo)
• Cozy Grove (Spry Fox / The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild)
• Mario Party Superstars (Nintendo)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Warioware: Get it Together (Nintendo)

Fighting Game of the Year

• Guilty Gear -Strive- (Arc System Works)
• Melty Blood: Type Lumina (French-Bread, Type-Moon / Delightworks)
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (Ludosity & Fair Play Labs / Game Mill)

Racing Game of the Year

• F1 2021 (Codemasters / EA Originals)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Hot Wheels Unleashed (Milestone)

Role-Playing Game of the Year

• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (Square Enix)
• Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (Owlcat Games / META Publishing)
• Shin Megami Tensei V (Atlus /Sega)
• Tales of Arise (Bandai Namco)
• Wildermyth (Worldwalker Games / Whisper Games)

Sports Game of the Year

• EA Sports FIFA 22 (EA Originals)
• Mario Golf: Super Rush (Nintendo)
• NBA 2k22 (2K Games)
• Riders Republic (Ubisoft)
• The Climb 2 (Crytek)

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

• Age of Empires IV (Relic Entertainment, World's Edge / Xbox Game Studios)
• Gloomhaven (Flaming Fowl Studios / Asmodee Digital)
• Griftlands (Klei Entertainment)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Loop Hero (Four Quarters / Devolver Digital)

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

• Lone Echo II (Ready at Dawn / Oculus Studios)
• Puzzling Places (Realities.io)
• Resident Evil 4 VR (Capcom)
• Song in the Smoke (17-Bit)
• YUKI (ARVORE Immersive Experiences)

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

• Demeo (Resolution Games)
• I Expect You To Die 2 (Schell Games)
• Lone Echo II (Ready at Dawn / Oculus Studios)
• Resident Evil 4 VR (Capcom)
• Song in the Smoke (17-Bit)

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

• Death's Door (Acid Nerve / Devolver Digital)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Loop Hero (Four Quarters / Devolver Digital)
• Sable (Shedworks / Raw Fury)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam / Humble Bundle)

Mobile Game of the Year

• Behind the Frame (Silver Lining Studio / Akupara Games, Akatsuki Taiwan Inc.)
• Fantasian (Mistwalker)
• League of Legends: Wild Rift (Riot Games)
• Moncage (Optillusion)
• Pokémon Unite (TiMi Studio Group / The Pokémon Company)

Online Game of the Year

• Back 4 Blood (Turtle Rock Studios / Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment)
• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games / Activision)
• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (Square Enix)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries / Xbox Game Studios)
• Knockout City (Velan Studios / EA Originals)

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Loop Hero (Four Quarters, Devolver Digital)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• The Artful Escape (Beethoven & Dinosaur / Annapurna Interactive)

The post Ratch?et and Clank: Rift Apart leads th?e charge in 2022 DICE Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

Some big nods for smaller teams and also, Cyberpunk?

The Game Awards 2021 has revealed its list o?f nominees for this year's event. Par for any awards show, there are certainly some pleasant surprises and interesting selections.

Host Geoff Keighley announced the lineup of 2021 Game Awards nominees today during a livestreamed special, running down the list of games in each category. The selections were determined by ballot, with over 100 media and influencer outlets participating??.

Some pleasant surprises were in store for indie teams, as some of this year's hidden gems like Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Inscryption, Loop Hero, and more getting nominations. Leading the pack were some expected AAA games, including Deathloop, Returnal, Psychonauts 2, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Xbox/Bethesda was the mo??st nominated publisher, followed by Sony, EA, and Square Enix.

//twitter.com/thegame?awards/status/??1460657164083679240

Also, Cyberpunk 2077 appears in the Best RPG category. It clears the bar, as a December 2020 launch, but it's an odd choice up against stiff competition in the form of Tales of Arise, Monster Hunter Rise, Scarlet Nexus, and Shin Megami Tensei V.

You can go vote on the nominees at The Game Awards 2021 site here.

Here's the full lineup of The Game Awards 2021 nominees, broken down by category:

Game of the Year

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Metroid Dread
• Psychonauts 2
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village

Best Game Direction

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Returnal
• Psychonauts 2
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Best Mobile Game

• Fantasian
• Genshin Impact
• League of Legends: Wild Rift
• Marvel Future Revolution
• Pokemon Unite

Best Independent Game

• 12 Minutes
• Death's Door
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Inscryption
• Loop Hero

Best Debut Indie Game

• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Sable
• The Artful Escape
• The Forgotten City
• Valheim

Best AR/VR

• Hitman 3
• I Expect You To Die 2
• Lone Echo
• Resident Evil 4
• Sniper Elite VR

Best Narrative

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Life is Strange: True Colors
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• Psychonauts 2

Best Action Game

• Back 4 Blood
• Chivalry II
• Deathloop
• Far Cry 6
• Returnal

Best Action/Adventure

• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• Metroid Dread
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village
• Psychonauts 2

Best RPG

• Cyberpunk 2077
• Monster Hunter Rise
• Scarlet Nexus
• Shin Megami Tensei V
• Tales of Arise

Best Fighting Game

• Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles
• Guilty Gear Strive
• Melty Blood Type Lumina
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
• Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown

Best Family Game

• It Takes Two
• Mario Party Superstars
• New Pokemon Snap
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
• Warioware: Get It Together!

Best Sim/Strategy

• Age of Empires IV
• Evil Genius 2: World Domination
• Humankind
• Inscryption
• Microsoft Flight Simulator

Best Sports/Racing

• F1 2021
• FIFA 2022
• Hot Wheels Unleashed
• Forza Horizon 5
• Riders Republic

Games For Impact

• Before Your Eyes
• Boyfriend Dungeon
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale
• Life is Strange: True Colors
• No Longer Home

Innovation in Accessibility

• Far Cry 6
• Forza Horizon 5
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• The Vale: Shadow of the Crown

Best Art Direction

• Deathloop
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Psychonauts 2
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• The Artful Escape

Best Score/Music

• Cyberpunk 2077
• Deathloop
• Nier Replicant
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• The Artful Escape

Best Audio Design

• Deathloop
• Forza Horizon 5
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village
• Returnal

Best Performance

• Erika Mori (Life is Strange: True Colors)
• Giancarlo Esposito (Far Cry 6)
• Jason E. Kelley (Deathloop)
• Maggie Robertson (Resident Evil Village)
• Ozioama Akagha (Deathloop)

Best Multiplayer

• Back 4 Blood
• It Takes Two
• Knockout City
• Monster Hunter Rise
• New World
• Valheim

Best Ongoing Game

• Apex Legends
• Call of Duty: Warzone
• Final Fantasy XIV Online
• Fortnite
• Genshin Impact

Best Community Support

• Apex Legends
• Destiny 2
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• No Man's Sky

Most Anticipated Game

• Elden Ring
• God of War: Ragnarok
• Horizon Forbidden West
• The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Starfield

Best Esports Game

• Call of Duty
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Dota 2
• League of Legends
• Valorant

Best Esports Athlete

• Chris "Simp" Lehr
• Heo "ShowMaker" Su
• Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov
• Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev
• Tyson "TenZ" Ngo

Best Esports Team

• Atlanta Faze (Call of Duty)
• DAMWON Gaming (League of Legends)
• Na'Vi (CS:GO)
• Team Spirit (Dota 2)
• Sentinels (Valorant)

Best Esports Coach

• B1AD3
• Crowder
• Engh
• Kkoma
• Silent

Best Esports Event

• The International 2021
• Worlds 2021
• Valorant Masters 2021
• PGL Major Stockholm 2021
• PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2021

Content Creator of the Year

• Dream
• Fuslie
• Gaules
• Ibai
• The Grefg

The Game Awards 2021 will air on Dec. 9, 2021.

The post The Game Awards 2021 reveals its nominees for this year’s event appeared first on Destructoid.

The console is the fastest-selling in the company's history

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced today that sales of the Pl??ayStation 5 have passed 10 million units globally since its launch last November.

In a press release, the conso?le manufacturer confirmed the PS5 is outpacing its predecessor, the PlayStation 4, which was Sony's previous record holder for ??fastest-selling console.

Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan also addressed o??ngoing shortages of the consoles. "While PS5 has reached more households faster than any of our previo??us consoles, we still have a lot of work ahead of us as demand for PS5 continues to outstrip supply," said Ryan.

Ryan also spoke to Reuters, saying the current chip shortage is "def??initely a challenge that we are all navigating" and that it may take a little while for PlayStation 5 demand to be me?t.

"We've built more PlayStations faster than we ever have before which makes me?? happy," Ryan told Reuters. "But on the other hand, we're so?me time from being able to meet all the demand that's out there, which makes me feel bad."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTunTURbyUU

Sony also provided some new sales numbers for its first-party titles in today's announcement. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart has sold more than 1.1 million copies since its launch on June 11, while Returnal from H??ousemarque has sold more than 560,000 copies.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales has passed the 6.5 million copies sold mark since its launch on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 last November, and MLB The Show 21 has become the fastest-selling title in the franchise, with more than 2 million copies sold and 4 million players reached. This year also marked MLB The Show's debut on both Xbox and Xbox Game Pass.

The year ahead still has a few big-name PlayStation 5 games, including Deathloop from Bethesda and Arkane, which is a PS5 console launch exclusive. Horizon Forbidden West is also still waiting to get its release date. Hopefully chip shortage issues can ge?t cleared up by the time these big games start rolling out.

The post Sony announces the PlayStation 5 has? passed 10 million units sold appeared first on Destructoid.

Best golf game debut since Lee Carvello's Putting Challenge

Nintendo is back at the top of the UK Charts this week, as brand new Switch release Mario Golf: Super Rush debuts straight in at number one, usurping Insomniac Games' excellent 'toon adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart??, which slips to number three after spending two weeks in the top spot.

Also debuting in the Top Ten is Bandai Namco's alien-busting, brain-eating adventure Scarlet Nexus, which jumps in at number eight �an impressive physical debut for a relatively niche mainstream release. Sega also had a couple of new entries. Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 just missed out on the premier division, debuting at number 11, while even retro star Alex Kidd got a look-in, with remake Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX landing just inside the Top 20 at number 17.

Elsewhere in the charts, Nintendo still holds many of the Top Ten slots, with Ring Fit Adventure pushes its way back in at number. Capcom's Resident Evil Village left the Top Ten for the first time since launch, while CDPR's beleaguered RPG Cyberpunk 2077 returned at number 22 following a huge sales spike, facilitated by t?he game's recent patches and updates. CDPR's beleaguered RPG also returned to PlayStation Store this week (though these sales will, of course, not count toward its UK Chart standing).

Outside of occasional "sales shocker" moments, the UK phy?sical sales scene has become increasingly irrelevant in displaying an accurate portrait of general video game sales. It is also rarely reflective of both the best-selling and the straight "best" games on the market. As such, I will be winding down the weekly UK Charts report at some point in the coming weeks/ I sincerely appreciate those of you who have always checked in.

U.K. video game sales chart w/e: June 26, 2021
(Chart reflects in-store physical sales only)

1. Mario Golf: Super Rush - Nintendo
2. FIFA 21 - Electronic Arts
3. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Sony Interactive Entertainment
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe �Nintendo
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons �Nintendo
6. Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Ubisoft
7. Minecraft - Nintendo
8. Scarlet Nexus - Bandai Namco
9. Ring Fit Adventure - Nintendo
10. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - Nintendo

U.K. Video Game Charts [GamesIndustry.biz]

The post Mario Golf: Super Rush comes in under par in this week’s UK Charts appeared first on Destructoid.

Nailed Down

It was another fine week for Ratchet, Clank, and new gal Rivet. Insomniac Games' excellent PS5 adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart retained the number one in the UK Charts, having achieved even higher sales in its second week of release than it did during launch week. While only a 2% sales increase, it's still an incredibly rare occurrence,?? especially in t??he digital-friendly modern gaming age.

Another surprise sales rise came in the form of Mojang's Minecraft Dungeons, which skyrocketed up the charts to number two after UK electronics retailer Curry's put a stock clearance price of just £13 on the Switch edition, ??which led to a huge rush of purchases for the blocky dungeon crawler. It's a sign of the archaic nature of the physical sales charts when a single retailer can reduce the price of a single video game and have it shoot straight into the premier league, overtaking brand-new releases.

Elsewhere in the Top Ten, it's business as usual. Nintendo dominates the listings with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Minecraft, and a returning Super Mario 3D + Bowser's Fury. Take-Two's Grand Theft Auto V also returned to the Top Ten following a brief absence, while the PS5 and Xbox Series X rerelease of Metro Exodus: Complete Edition debuted at number 17. Square Enix' Final Fantasy VII: Remake Intergrade and Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Strive have both left the Top 40 entirely. Will Rift Apart see a third?? w??eek on top of the UK Charts? Stick around.

U.K. video game sales chart w/e: June 19, 2021
(Chart reflects in-store physical sales only)

1. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Sony Interactive Entertainment
2. Minecraft Dungeons - Xbox Game Studios
3. FIFA 21 - Electronic Arts
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe �Nintendo
5. Resident Evil Village �Capcom
6. Animal Crossing: New Horizons �Nintendo
7. Spider-Man: Miles Morales �Sony Interactive Entertainment
8. Minecraft - Nintendo
9. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - Nintendo
10. Grand Theft Auto V - Take-Two Interactive

U.K. Video Game Charts [GamesIndustry.biz]

The post UK Charts: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart sees even higher sales figures in second week appeared first on Destructoid.

Rivet-ing

Insomniac Games' Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart debuted at the top of the UK Charts this week. While not the biggest Ratchet & Clank launch to date (that honor goes to 2016's budget-priced, PS4 remake), the fantastic, high-tech sequel is now the second-biggest PS5 physical launch since the console's release, sitting just behind Insomniac's own Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Elsewhere in the charts, Torn Banner's riotous Chivalry II also had a successful physical launch, with the medieval melee fighter landing at number nine. The remainder of the Top Ten is filled out with mainstay titles such as Capcom's Resident Evil Village and Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Minecraft. Arc System Works' sexy fighter Guilty Gear Strive had a more modest physical launch, however, debuting at a lofty number 26, (ArcSys has noted that GG Strive has hit an overall milestone of 300,000 shipments and digital sales.)

The spring run of major releases is mostly complete, with only a few stragglers, (such as Bandai Namco's Scarlet Nexus) still to come. While the road seems clear for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart to have a run at the top of the charts, the subdued amount of PS5 hardware available to the UK suggests that almost everyone who wants a copy of the cutesy adventure now has one. Square Enix' Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a likely contender for next week's throne.

U.K. video game sales chart w/e: June 12, 2021
(Chart reflects in-store physical sales only)

1. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Sony Interactive Entertainment
2. FIFA 21 - Electronic Arts
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe �Nintendo
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons �Nintendo
5. Spider-Man: Miles Morales �Sony Interactive Entertainment
6. Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Ubisoft
7. Minecraft �Nintendo
8. Resident Evil Village �Capcom
9. Chivalry II - Deep Silver
10. Miitopia �Nintendo

U.K. Video Game Charts [GamesIndustry.biz]

The post Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart debuts at #1 in this week’s UK Charts appeared first on Destructoid.

Constructing an instant classic

Tomorrow sees the return of gaming heroes Ratchet & Clank, with the word already out that the duo's new, PS5-exclusive adventure is a stone-cold smash, packed with exciting adventure, beautiful visuals, brilliant characters, and clever mechanics. And, according to some of the developers responsible for this masterpiece, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart did not come at the cost of?? one of the gaming industry's most consistent and troubling issues: "Crunch Culture."

Speaking on social media, several talented individuals from Insomniac took time out to praise the studio for not pushing the team in a manner that affected their mental or physical health. In fact, some developers have even stated that this approach encouraged the team to utilize its full creativity, and as such is significantly responsible for Ratchet & Clank becoming a fantastic release, one that has already won itself a string of plaudits fro??m games media.

Insomniac designer Gran Parker was the first to bring the subject to bear. "I can't speak for anyone on the team but myself, but I didn't crunch once. 40h weeks the whole time. It is possible to work on a great game w/o suffering," said Parker on Twitter. "I'm a white ?cis straight male designer. So I'm also working with some privilege for sure. But overall I was very encouraged by how my managers actively pushed for me to avoid burnout."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2bJ8oeX5fY

Animator Lindsay Thompson echoed Parker's sentiment: "I didn't crunch once, entire production. A couple late nights here and there finishing something up, but COMPLETELY CRUNCH FREE. It is possible. Team wellness let??s the creativity flow free [...] I do believe the team as a whole did not suffer crunch and our management certainly encouraged that."

As noted, both of these developers only speak for themselves, even though they believe that the same can be said for other team members. Overall, it's very encouraging to hear these positive stories, and we can only hope that the same experience applies to Insomniac's entire dev squad. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart truly pushes the modern gaming industry into bold new frontiers from a technological perspective, but if it can also do the same from a workplace crunch perspective, then it is truly one of 2021's best and most impor?tant releases.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart launches tomorrow, June 11, exclusively on PS5.

The post Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart developers speak of ‘crunch free’ environment appeared first on Destructoid.

Rivet-ing Tails

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart can most assuredly be called a "next-gen" title. With each and every video, Insomniac Games' world-hopping adventure looks bigger, brighter, and better than before — at least in r?egards to its delightful aesthetics and modern-day technology.

Sony has released a new story trailer to bring us up to speed on the title's split-universe narrative, ahead of its PS5 release on June 11, just two short weeks away. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart sees the titular twosome divided by a cataclysmic world event, ca??using alternate univer??ses to smash into each other, with predictably chaotic results.

With the aid of a mysterious new ally, Rivet, Ratchet and Clank must find a way to reconnect, before taking on the nefarious Emperor... umm... Nefarious, reconnecting the split dimensions, and saving not only the day, not only the world, not only the universe, but multiple universes. All in a d??ay's work for ?our intrepid trio, surely?

The short overview trailer spotlights the sequel's stunning Pixar-quality visuals, dazzling visual effects, and ambitious "Rifting" mechanics — courtesy of the PS5's SSD power. Of course, none of the above matters should the gameplay not be up to scratch. But at this early stage, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is looking to set the bar in regards to declaring to t??he gaming comm??unity that the ninth generation, most assuredly, is here.

The post Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart continues to astound in new story trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Making the most of that PS5

Sony debuted a new State of Play today that was centered around one of its big upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusives, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. A large portion of that consisted of gameplay of the new platformer-shooter, an??d lord, it looks good.

Some games are still in the half-step between console generations, but Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is one of a few big next-gen exclusives Sony has lined up for the year so far. With that in mind, today's showcase was both a good look ahead at the next Ratchet & Clank, and a bright sign of what's to come on the new g?eneration? of consoles.

As detailed in the accompanying PlayStation blog, Rift Apart is making use of haptics inside the PS5's DualSense, as well as the adaptive triggers; Insomniac showcased how one gun fires single shots with half-trigger pulls, and goes into full auto when the trigger is pulled all the way down. That's alongside the rift-jumping di??mensional chaos that Insomniac has shown off before, which it says utilizes the PS5's SSD.

A really cool note is the focus on accessibility options, too. Insomniac says there's more to share in the future, but spotlighting it in the State of Play is pretty rad, and the early glimpse we saw today reminded me a bit of The Last of Us Part II's impressive accessibility features.

I've dipped in and out of the Ratchet & Clank series—sorry, I was a Jak player—but Rift Apart is making a really compelling case for picking it up. The duo's next ??adventure goes ??live on June 11, 2021 for the PlayStation 5.

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There's more to see before June

[Update: The mostly Ratchet & Clank-focused State of Play stream is about to start.]

We just got a new look at the upcoming Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart this ??morning, but tha?t isn't the only one we'll see this week.

Sony has announced a new State of Play for Thursday, April 29 at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. In today's PlayStation Blog, it says there will be more than 15 minutes of gameplay to show, as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will be the focus of the show.

For those who don't just want to see Ratchet and Clank venture through dimensional portals though, there will be some other news. On Twitter, PlayStation confirmed th?at there will be updates on "a pair of upcoming indie titles??."

The most recent State of Play showed off some rad-looking indie games, including Sifu and Solar Ash, so hopefully there are some surprises in store for Thursday as well. You can catch the stream on PlayStation's Twitch and YouTube channels at 5 p.m. ET /  2 p.m. PT.

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Lady Lombax has a name, and quite a few of you guessed it

Sony Interactive Entertainment, alongside Insomniac Games, have released a brand new — and very impressive — gameplay trailer for the upcoming platformer Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which will see the steampunk duo r??eturn for another exciting adventure this summer, exclusively on PS5.

The stunning-looking sequel will arrive on Sony's next-gen platform June 15, and will see the dimension-diving twosome joined by a brand new character, a lady lombax who has finally been introduced to players as "Rivet" — a name that had been predicte??d by several fans already. The exciting trailer shows the trio as they battle through a series of colorful dimensions, in hopes of reuniting with each other before taking on the nefarious... umm... Nefarious, whose dastardly deeds threaten to tear the fabric of reality asunder.

Insomniac also announced that Rift Apart will be available in a Digital Deluxe Edition format, including a copy of the game, a selection of five excl??usive armor skins, a digital art book, digital soundtrack, and 20 "Raritanium," an in-game material used for upgrad??ing armor and weaponry.

Music fans will note the use of DEVO's "Uncontrollable Urge" on the trailer's soundtrack, used to signify the arrival of DEVO co-founder and lead singer Mark Mothersbaugh, who will act as composer for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart's soundtrack. In a new PlayStation Blog post, Insomniac Games' Marcus Smith ??spoke of the team's utter delight at having Mothersbaugh on-?board for this ambitious project.

"We are so thrilled to be collaborating with Mark," exclaimed Smith. "[We] cannot wait for you to he??ar the incredible score he’s come up with!"

A preview of Motherbaugh's soundtrack for Rift Apart can be heard over at PlayStation Blog. More new Ratchet & Clank (& Rivet) foot?age can be expected at a special State of Play presentation this Thursday, May 29, at 14:00 PT / 17:00 / 22:00 BST.

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Carbonox armor and the Pixelizer

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart looked great before the PlayStation 5 came out, but now that it's been a few months, Insomniac's dimension-hopping adventure sounds fantastic. The PS5 s??orely needs a game like this right now, and the wait won't be too terribly drawn-out – it's releasing on June 11, 2021.

I hesitated to include this video as there's little meat on its bones. If nothing else, ?it shows the box art and serves as a remin??der that unlike other PlayStation exclusives, this one is PS5-only. No cross-gen.

Insomniac Games shared a few more details in a PlayStation Blog post today, mostly to do with pre-orders. Rift Apart will cost $70 if you're getting the standard digital or physical version, and the pre-order bonus is "early unlocks" of the Pixelizer gun and Carbonox armor, the ??latter of which looks rad.

There's also an $80 Digital Deluxe Edition, but it's a harder sell. The pack-ins are "five additional armor sets, 20 Raritanium to get a head start on upgrading your weapons, a sticker pack to use in Ratchet & Clank's first-ever photo mode, as ?well as a digital artbook and a digital soundtrack."

Should you go for the (standard-only) physical copy and later decide you want to upgrade to get those Digital Deluxe bonuses, there will be an in-game menu option to do so, according to Insomniac.

Beyond pre-order hijinks, I appreciate this tidbit from creative director Marcus Smith: "If you've never played a Ratchet & Clank game before, this is an excellent one to start with as the adventure is a stand-alone storyline, but longtime fans of the ser??ies will find deeper layers of connection to previous games."

I imagine a lot of people are considering Rift Apart even if they've never tried the series or haven't checked in with it for potentially two whole console generations. Having recently gone back to chase down the Platinum trophy in 2016's Ratchet & Clank, I'm extremely in the mood for more bolt c?ollecting.

What else is on the horizon for PS5? Yakuza: Like a Dragon (March 2), Kena: Bridge of Spirits (March), Returnal (April 30), Resident Evil Village (May 7), and Deathloop (May 21). R&C will slot in nicely.

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